The list included five videocassette recorders; four TVs; six pairs of speakers; seven car stereos; five stereo receivers. There were cassette decks, portable CD players, equalizers and similar items.

Police also found two plastic bags and two glass tubes believed to contain cocaine residue.

For nearly a year, neighbors wondered why they rarely saw people drop off or pick up lawnmowers at the tiny shop around the corner from Ike's Market at Newport News Avenue and West Back River Road.

``I've never seen anyone deliver a lawnmower over there to get fixed,'' one nearby resident said.

``If this was a lawnmower-repair business, then why did we see these high-priced cars with New York and other out-of-state license plates streaming in and out of there at all hours of the night?'' another neighbor said.

Sgt. Donnie Moore, Hampton police spokesman, said detectives are still trying to figure out how a lawnpower repairman acquired so many stereo gadgets.

The detective said he talked to an informant who told him that Jack's Lawnmower shop is a fence for stolen property. The source named Jack Mann as the proprietor.

Mann, 66, was arrested Friday night after investigators identified a CD found at the business as one of four reported stolen from the Hampton Public Library, Moore said.

Mann, who was charged with conspiracy to receive stolen property and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, is free on bond.

The affidavit says the informant has witnessed ``the trading of narcotics for stolen property in the recent past at that location.''

Police also received information from unnamed sources that indicated property from burglaries in the surrounding area was ``sold or traded'' at 502 Newport News Ave.

A spokeswoman for the Hampton commissioner of revenue confirmed that Jack Mann has a business license for a lawnmower repair shop at that address. She said Mann came to the office Monday asking to change the address of his business to 544 Shell Road.

Mann could not be reached for comment Monday. The telephone listed on his sign has been disconnected.

An inspection of the property June 3 uncovered several building code violations, and a building official condemned the property as unsafe.

The detective's affidavit says Mann has been convicted of distributing drugs in the past. He also has convictions for carrying a concealed weapon; burglary, larceny, possession of stolen property, and operating a common nuisance.

Moore said investigators are still examining the property to determine if any other items were stolen.